Start Your Own Business in Wiltshire

If you are starting a business in Wiltshire, you have come to the right place!

Start Your Own Business in Wiltshire contains masses of free resources and the useful information that will help you get your new venture off the ground. It also highlights local organisations who offer friendly business advice and services that you need.

Everything that you will find on the site is free or very low cost and includes our free start-up pack, a series of factsheets which cover all of the key considerations, relevant templates, links to other useful resources and our free downlodable Start Your Own Business book.

Every year, over 400,000 people start a business in the UK and, apparently, at any one time, up to a fifth of the working population would like to join them. If this is you, we would love top help turn your dream into reality by sharing some of the information that you will need to make your venture a success.

We have been helping new business start-ups for the past 18 years and this Wiltshire section has been in place since 2005. Accordingly, we have amassed an enormous amount of relevant useful start-up information which we are happy to share with you free of charge. This will enable you to learn from those who help start-ups and from the lessons learned by people, just like you, who have already set up on their own.

Local contacts

We hope that you find the site useful and wish you the very best of luck on your exciting journey. If you are unsure of where to start, can I suggest that you get a feel for what is going on locally by following the links on this page. They will give you an idea of what advice and support is available in the area. Also we have pages dedicated to networking, free advice, funding, and grants

If you would like to know the proven steps that can make the difference between business start-up success and failure, our popular FREE start-up pack contains a step-by-step guide, templates, factsheets and a copy of our unique business start-up map.

Alternatively, we have also created our own new business 99 point start-up checklist which will give you a clear overview of the key subjects which need to be mastered on your road to success

Start-Up Success

The sad truth is that too many new ventures do not even reach their first anniversary. However, the good news is that this does not have to be the case. Running your own business is not an easy option but many of the pitfalls can be avoided with some careful research and planning in the early stages. This site has been designed with the sole aim of increasing the survival rate locally by raising awareness of both the right and wrong ways of starting a new business and promoting the businesses and organisations in Wiltshire who would love to help you.

Recommended Local Partner

Can You Help Local Start-ups?

We are keen to locate one firm to act as our primary sponsor and recommended local partner for the area. SYOB has been established for over 10 years, it ranks well in Google results and could be a great way of attracting NEW local business.

* Your logo in the 'Partners' box (top right of this page).
* Your logo, description and link to your site HERE!
* Exclusive - only one company per area.

FREE Book

Start Your Own Business In 2018

This free 150 page book is packed with start-up information and contact details designed to help you start your business successfully.

We have been running SYOB for over 10 years now and have accumulated an enormous amount of information which could make the difference between start-up success or failure.

Starting a business is easy but keeping it going and making a profit is a completely different proposition. The good news is that there are tried and tested 'rules' which have consistently proved to work.

FREE Book

Start Your Own Business In 2018

This free 150 page book is packed with start-up information and contact details designed to help you start your business successfully.

We have been running SYOB for over 10 years now and have accumulated an enormous amount of information which could make the difference between start-up success or failure.

Starting a business is easy but keeping it going and making a profit is a completely different proposition. The good news is that there are tried and tested 'rules' which have consistently proved to work.

FREE Start-Up Pack

Our FREE start-up pack contains everything that you need to get you started.

It is a common trait amongst entrepreneurs to just want to 'get on with it'. However, if you want to maximise your chances of success, it is worth putting in time and effort before you start to ensure that you have set-up correctly.

One-time registration required but this unlocks all of the free resources on the site.

StartUp Latest

Keep up to date with the most recent business thinking from around the world

We try to keep our eyes open for useful and interesting news stories and useful resources which could help if you are starting up or running a small business. Hopefully, this will save you the time and trouble! The latest additions are...

Wiltshire Local Contacts

If you can help new business start ups or
existing small businesses in the Wiltshire
area, we would love to promote you here free of charge.
(Add Your Business)

4 great reasons to be part of 4Networking
1. Flexibility and reach
4N gives you access to a unique joined-up national business network. Our ‘Passport membership’ lets you choose from 5000+ 4Networking events each year. We have groups in most major towns and cities in the UK. Use your Passport to network locally, regionally and even nationally.
Choose from Breakfast, Lunch and Evening meetings + join the UK’s fastest growing Facebook business group - just search on Facebook for ‘4Networking Community’.
2. A stream of business appointments
Bypass gatekeepers by having three 10-minute 1-2-1s at every 4N meeting, with people you choose. Also use 1-2-1s to find trusted suppliers. 1-2-1s are one of the key elements in our relaxed yet productive meeting format, which is tried, tested and loved by our members.
3. Relaxed, fun and friendly networking
At 4N, it’s easy to just be yourself. At our meetings and online we’ve created an unstuffy environment. The cornerstone of 4N’s ethos is Meet>Like>Know>Trust, as it’s the best way to gain customers, collaborations and suppliers. If this sounds like your kind of place, then become part of the 4N community.
4. A platform to demonstrate your expertise
We give you so many ways to raise your profile and establish yourself as the go-to person in your field. In the room and online, being able to offer ‘4Sight’ presentations can gain you a massive audience. Plus of course, you and your business benefit from other 4N members’ advice and help.
Established for over 11 years, 4Networking is helping thousands of business owners to grow their businesses. It’s business networking the British way.
Register at www.4networking.biz (it takes 2 minutes) and then you can book your first meeting, to see how 4N will work for you. Browse our list of meetings here: www.4networking.biz/events. Or call our Support Desk team on 0345 123 4444.

Starting a business is a rewarding, challenging experience. But it's one that you don’t have to face alone.
Whether you’ve got a business idea that you would like to explore further, or you’ve been trading for up to a year, we can help you gain the advice, knowledge and funding needed to improve your chances of success. From one-to-one support, to workshops, to helping you apply for a start-up loan, we are here to help.

In today's connected world Digital Marketing and the World Wide Web forms an essential part of business marketing.
You need to be easy to find in all the places that your existing and potential customers are likely to visit and make sure that you are professionally representing your business.
You want more sales, more leads, phone calls and enquiries, more newsletter subscriptions and/or more downloads!
To achieve these ambitions, you need an effective website, effective Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) to make sure that you appear in Google, Bing and Yahoo search results as well as an active presence on all the Social Media sites that your clients are likely to be using
Using a range of affordable and effective Digital Marketing I can ensure that your business is easy to find by your customers.

Enterprise Wiltshire and its member organisations are responsible for delivering a programme of work to develop and improve the economy and wellbeing of the county. It also advises the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) on the priorities of Wiltshire businesses and monitors the progress of projects and activities to support the SWLEP strategies.
Enterprise Wiltshire, Wiltshire Council, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8JD

The FSB Business Creation package has been specially designed for those looking to start up, or have recently started a small business. Tailored benefits will help you get your business off the ground and we’ll be with you each step of the way. Join today for £129.

Inspire is the trading name for the Wessex Chambers of Commerce, a not for profit organisation representing SME businesses across every sector of the local economy.
Our mission is to inspire, motivate, inform and support businesses throughout their life cycle, from Start up, to growing enterprises and right up to our large corporate success stories.
We are funded from our partner and member subscriptions and from service contracts with the Department for Business Communities and Local Government.
There are a number of ways in which your business can engage with us. We offer a range of business services from discounted or free products and networking opportunities through LEGACY MEMBERSHIP, as well as our CLIENTS. There are also opportunities to join us as PARTNERS to work with us on delivering the above to the business community.
Our experienced team come from diverse and varied business backgrounds and, between them, have a wealth of knowledge and expertise together with an enviable hub of contacts to put at the disposal of your business. What's more, our services are heavily subsidised, confidential and impartial.

A great start-up resource which includes:
* An introduction to Business Regulations and Starting Up
* Business Opportunity Factsheets
* Choosing the Right Legal Structure
* Selling Goods Online
* Starting a Business in Wiltshire
* Talent for Wiltshire Employers
* Start Up Resouirces

The Growth Hub is an exciting new online community developed exclusively for the businesses of Swindon and Wiltshire.
The Hub directs you to a wide range of impartial business support and advice, as well as providing valuable insights, access to events, specialist programmes and funding to help your business thrive.
The Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub provides you with a single gateway through which to access support, whether you are starting, running or growing your business.
Using the Growth Hub you can find direct support from our telephone helpline or arrange a face-to-face meeting with an experienced and impartial Business Adviser.
Their business support helpline number is 01225 402096

The membership of RESG reflects the local community; mixing a range of business leaders, rural stakeholders, programme coordinators, public and voluntary sector representatives and professionals from across the Swindon and Wiltshire areas.

The Enterprise Network (TEN), a £5.2m initiative led by Wiltshire Council with Government and EU funding, is nurturing new and growing small and micro businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire by supporting them right from the first ‘light bulb’ moment.

Wiltshire county Council's website contains a section dedicated to business advice and support. Here youi will find information about business raters, health & safety, licenses and permits, CSE, trading standards, commercial waste, food safety, economic, DBS.
There are also links to relevant support organisations and sources of business funding.
It is run by the Economic Regeneration.
Economy Regeneration
Wiltshire Council
County Hall
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JD

Business Growth Group
When you are running your own business it can seem like there simply are not enough hours in the day - or the week for that matter! When you are so busy on a day to day basis it can become difficult to focus on the future and think about drumming up new business.
Our group works on a referral system. This means that when the people that you interact with on a business basis need a service or product, you refer them to another member. In turn, other members refer their customers to you.

Business West
Business West is one of the most influential independent business leadership organisations in the UK, representing and working with over 18,000 businesses across the South West.
01275 373373

CAB Consulting
At C.A.B. Consulting Ltd, Salisbury we fully appreciate running your own business or managing a department can be very rewarding but it is also fraught with day-to-day problems, which can take so much time and effort to resolve. Our single goal is to make our client's businesses more profitable and maximise the potential of the business. We achieve this by providing business advice which is straight talking, commercially focused and by providing cost effective solutions. Cygnet House, Durrington, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 8LQ 01722 770005

Chippenham Breakfast for Business
Breakfast for Business North Wiltshire is a friendly, relaxed and effective local business networking group based in Chippenham. We have a one seat policy whereby each profession can have only one representative in the group. Our members include a range of local businesses.

FSB Somerset & Wiltshire
FSB Somerset & Wiltshire is the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). It was formed in 1974 as the National Federation of Self Employed and represents the interests of small and medium-sized businesses locally and nationally. They offer a great package tailored to your needs if you are thinking about starting a business in the area. Contact: Nicola Bailey Development Manager Nicola.Bailey@fsb.org.uk Contact via website or e-mail.

Invest in Wiltshire
The Invest in Wiltshire team provides all information you need for starting and growing your business in Wiltshire.

Small Business Advisory Service Ltd
Small Business Advisory Service Ltd provides business advice and guidance through all stages of business development. Principally for the small business, from start-up through to employing 30+ people. The service starts with a FREE general review of the business to identify current key issues and opportunities for improvement. 35 Chequers Court, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2AS 01722 568 003

Swindon & Wiltshire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership)
The Swindon & Wiltshire LEP is a business-led public/private partnership tasked with driving economic growth in the area. Approved by government in July 2011, a working group drawn from leading business people was formed to start developing the operating framework. Known as the Business Working Group (BWG), it was jointly chaired by Nicky Alberry of GWE Business West (covering Swindon) and Paul Johnson of Knorr-Bremse (covering Wiltshire). Their role was to drive the formation process and start the discovery/due diligence process so that the new Board has a robust foundation on which they can formulate the Partnership's strategic direction and commission projects to drive growth. 07891 995678

Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership
The Swindon & Wiltshire LEP has been formed to develop the economy of the sub-region. Its primary focus is to create wealth, jobs and new business opportunities by forging a meaningful partnership between the private and public sectors. Their initiatives will be driven by business through their engagement in the partnership.

Wiltshire Business awards
Entering (and hopefully winning) ther Wiltshire Business Awards could be a great way of raising awareness of your business.

WiltsHour
Welcome to the directory website of the #WiltsHour - a free weekly networking event for Wiltshire businesses held on Twitter every Monday evening from 8-9pm.
Bulldog Websites founded and sponsor the #WiltsHour and WiltsHour.co.uk to offer local free marketing to local businesses, helping you to promote your Wiltshire business and gain new followers and friends.
This is a great new networking event - take part from the comfort of your sofa after a hard days work. Come along and join us - simply tweet about your business, new products, offers, or just say "hi!" using the hashtag #WiltsHour and we'll do the rest!

Women Mean Biz - Bradford On Avon
Come along to a group meeting as a guest and see if you want to join our networking group. This way, you get to meet our members and experience our style and format first hand.
In the historic town of Bradford On Avon, this dynamic networking group meets on the second Tuesday every month.
Our friendly lunch time meetings are a great way to get to know us, come along as a guest - we'd love to meet you.

Local Partners

Start-Up Tip of the Day

Getting help is never a bad thing...

When you start a business its very encompassing and at times can overwhelm dont try and do it all and end up loosing that fire that made you start your business in the first place. Bring someone onboard who can help you with even the smallest of tasks and find a work life balance